Ed M

I'd like first to introduce myself. I' be playing music for 30 years. I mainly play the guitar but I also play keyboards, especially synths because I've always loved sound synthesis. I own some old analog synths but nowadays working with computers is the law ;) (I use Ableton Live).

I like the DIY world : i've already built stompboxes, tube amps and guitars from scratch.

OK. The reason I'm writing here is because I've always been frustated looking at those fine synth plugins that are now available (DIVA, OPX PROii etc.). They can sound very fat and close to analog synths (yes I love them :) ). The down side is to control them with a midi controller. I can't get used to stare at the PC screen... I own a Novation midi keyboard. While i've found the idea of automap very cool I definitely think that they could have gone further and make something better (considering it works erratically).

What i'd like is to have a midi controller with controllers and a LCL screen displaying their names and values. I've made some searches and I'm beginning to think that building such a thing would be possible.

Since I'never dealed with digital electronics I'm a little bit confused about where to start. My project would be to build something simple for a first try. Something like 2 or 4 pots controlling CCs. With the LCD showing the names of the parameters and their respective values. And something important : each time you change a preset, the screen would display the updated values.

OK I'm totally newbe here but this was the case when I first tried to build an amp or a guitar. So there's hope.

I'm not asking anyone to tell me the solution of course but I need some advice. How to achieve this? I've seen beautiful things made with Arduino boards. Which one would fit? About data transmission : is MaxForLive needed? Because the goal is to send midi values but also text values. In use : if we consider a synth plugin. How would I first set some parameters (for example : cutoff (CC=72) on first pot, labelled "Cutoff"), send the text and CC number to the controller then send the value? Is it possible?

I know this is quite a long message but It's not that easy to be clear. ;)

Thanks for any kind of help. I guess it's new to me and this won't happen in a few days but I have time and, most of all, I'm motivated. :)

I'd like first to introduce myself. I' be playing music for 30 years. I mainly play the guitar but I also play keyboards, especially synths because I've always loved sound synthesis. I own some old analog synths but nowadays working with computers is the law ;) (I use Ableton Live).
I like the DIY world : i've already built stompboxes, tube amps and guitars from scratch.
OK. The reason I'm writing here is because I've always been frustated looking at those fine synth plugins that are now available (DIVA, OPX PROii etc.). They can sound very fat and close to analog synths (yes I love them :) ). The down side is to control them with a midi controller. I can't get used to stare at the PC screen... I own a Novation midi keyboard. While i've found the idea of automap very cool I definitely think that they could have gone further and make something better (considering it works erratically).
What i'd like is to have a midi controller with controllers and a LCL screen displaying their names and values.  I've made some searches and I'm beginning to think that building such a thing would be possible.
Since I'never dealed with digital electronics I'm a little bit confused about where to start. My project would be to build something simple for a first try. Something like 2 or 4 pots controlling CCs.  With the LCD showing the names of the parameters and their respective values. And something important : each time you change a preset, the screen would display the updated values.

I know this is quite a long message but It's not that easy to be clear.  ;)

midi-controller-with-lcd-diplayed-parameters

Indeed, one way to do that would be to use Arduino and Max.

You would go through some Arduino examples (serial communication with Max, using a LCD display)... and through some Max tutorials to deal with ascii, messages, etc.

If you've never used Arduino before, then you might buy an Arduino kit including a LCD display (maybe the one sold on the arduino web site, which includes tutorials, etc., if it's in your budget).

Indeed, one way to do that would be to use Arduino and Max.
You would go through some Arduino examples (serial communication with Max, using a LCD display)... and through some Max tutorials to deal with ascii, messages, etc.
If you've never used Arduino before, then you might buy an Arduino kit including a LCD display (maybe the one sold on the arduino web site, which includes tutorials, etc., if it's in your budget).


I could buy an Arduino kit. But before buying anything I have some questions. I'd like to know which are the different ways to achieve this. I mean what are the different possibilities to communicate between PC->microcontroller (arduino, Livid brain, hale micro etc.) -> midi controller (to build). Sending midi data from/to my PC with an old synth seems obvious : my external sound card does the job, thanks to the midi sockets. When we talk about midi controllers, they often work via usb. So which solution is better or easier to deal with? Because i'd like to send midi data but also text. When it comes to data text I suppose I'd have to use a thirdparty software to send these data, am i right (that's why i talk about MaxForLive in my first post)? I need to know the process of communication between my daw (Live) and my controller to understand and as result make my choice of hardware. Is it better to do this via classic midi cables (sysex data would be OK to transmit text?) or via USB?

Sorry for all these questions but it's important for me to understand things before buying anything.

I could buy an Arduino kit. But before buying anything I have some questions. I'd like to know which are the different ways to achieve this. I mean what are the different possibilities to communicate between PC->microcontroller (arduino, Livid brain, hale micro etc.) -> midi controller (to build). Sending midi data from/to my PC with an old synth seems obvious : my external sound card does the job, thanks to the midi sockets. When we talk about midi controllers, they often work via usb. So which solution is better or easier to deal with? Because i'd like to send midi data but also text. When it comes to data text I suppose I'd have to use a thirdparty software to send these data, am i right (that's why i talk about MaxForLive in my first post)? I need to know the process of communication between my daw (Live) and my controller to understand and as result make my choice of hardware. Is it better to do this via classic midi cables (sysex data would be OK to transmit text?) or via USB?
Sorry for all these questions but it's important for me to understand things before buying anything.

max/msp can be of great help to get the data; when hosting VST or AU plug-ins it is relatively easy to get a list of parameters from a plug-in and show their names.

i am not a hardware maker but if i was you i would try to a void midi and use something of a higher resolution. using diva in max/msp with a custom hardware of only 7 bits of resolution seems like pearls before swine.

This board(s) have native USB midi support.

If You need any help creating Code for it, just post here.

Try to get LCD with I2C bus, it is easier to connect, needs only 2 wires

Have a look at teensy at www.prjc.com
This board(s) have native USB midi support.
If You need any help creating Code for it, just post here.
Try to get LCD with I2C bus, it is easier to connect, needs only 2 wires
compared to 6 with "normal" LCD


I'm interested in that topic too. Any progress with your project?

Hi Ed,

I'm interested in that topic too. Any progress with your project?

Midi Controller with LCD diplayed parameters